Garage Party and a Few Other Thoughts...

I'm always up for anything having to do with motorcycles. Well a couple weeks ago I got this invite to the Garage Party for Women Only at Big Barn Harley Davidson. I thought I'd check it out and I'm glad that I went. There were about 45 women there from various backgrounds and with various motorcycle experience. It was good to find out that there are a few women out there just like me...motorcycle license but no motorcycle...and they are still riding 2 up. The evening began with introductions. We met the staff and met one another. After filling out a couple questionares we were put in groups and sent down on the floor of the Big Barn to our various stations. There were 4 Stations in all. The group I was with began with motorcycles. A few members of the sales staff told the group about the different families of Harley Davidson motorcycles. There are 5 in all: Sportster, Dyna, Softail, VRSC, and Touring. They of course spent all their time talking to us by the Sportsters which they told us was considered the starter Harley Davidson. One of the sales staff did say though that you should buy the bike that makes you feel the most comfortable instead of thinking that you should begin with a Sportster. After they told us everything that they knew about motorcycles they let us walk around and check out the bikes. I think the 2008 motorcycles are some of the best looking rides that HD has come out with. I love the new custom paint options and new bikes that they have created. The Rocker and the Softail Cross Bones are wicked looking scoots. After about 5 minutes of letting us wander around the bikes we were sent on to Station 2. This station was back in the service department where you drop off your bike for service. We all got the opportunity to learn how to lift a fallen bike. That was something I really needed to learn. We didn't learn that in the motorcycle safety course for some reason. I thought that they should have taken us into the shop were they actually work on the bikes. They may not have because of safety but it would have been interesting to me. Sometimes I wonder though if I'm not normal and I'm the only chick that might care about seeing that. After a quick break with refreshments and Harley Davidson trivia for prizes we were sent back down for the final two stations. Station 3 was Parts and Accessories. We learned how to remove a bike seat and got to see the new LED tail lamp. Station 4 was Motorclothes and our final station of the evening. We got to see the latest in leather, boots, and helmets. We all got together one final time and filled out another questionare and they drew a name for a door prize. We also received schwag bags which were minus really any schwag. Well we got a pen. All in all it was something that I would recommend to any woman out there that is interested in the sport of motorcycle riding. For a first timer it would be a real learning experience. For a more seasoned gal that has riden 2 up for a lot of years, there are interesting things to learn and it's fun meeting new people.

I did leave the Big Barn a little sad. My Crimson Denim Street Bob dream bike had been sold. It better not be to the guy I put a hex on. It better have been to an amazing chick rider that will love her just as much as I would have. When I noticed that she was gone I said to the P & A guy that my bike was gone and he was so understanding of my broken heart that he told me they could get another Crimson Denim Street Bob and he could help me make her even prettier just for me. How sweet was that! :) Ok...so here is hoping that in 2009 or 2010 they are still making that bike. Well by then they will probably have come up with something even more rock'n!

My father will love this! Hey Dad...remember that Literature Text book you bought way back when I attended Wartburg for a term? Well I've decided to finally read it. LMAO!

My final thought for the day...I'm so excited because my new little Niece Sydney is going to be born any day now! I can't wait to hold her!

Please continue to keep our Troops in your prayers!! God Bless America!

Have a great night!

IHG! :)

Labor Day Weekend

Wow...Can you believe that Summer '07 is drawing to a close? The years just fly by once you cross over from the age of 25. I'll be 39 this year and I'm thinking, where did it all go? I know...I'm still young...I hear it all the time but it's just wacky how you think you have so much time ahead of you to accomplish things you want to in life.

Thanks Dan for taking me to all of the bike nights this summer. I always feel safe when I'm riding two up with you. Had good times this summer with Dan, Kristen, Brent, Big Don, Jack and made new friends with Vance and Kris. I know...the season hasn't ended yet...thank god! Hopefully as in years past we have until November.

This weekend Dan and I took a trip up to Northeast Iowa on the Zippy Pickle and stayed with Greg and LaRue, my folks. I had to kid Dan because I only required the use of one saddlebag for all my stuff. He had a saddlebag and a knapsack. HA HA HA! The trip up there was really nice. We rolled in about 8:30ish and you could tell Greg and LaRue were very happy we had all the gear on. Especially the helmets. Iowa does not have a helmet law so it's the rider's choice. On Saturday we were up early so we could ride in and hang for a while at Silver Eagle HD. My Dad wigged a little because we didn't have the ole helmets on. I guess it is a little selfish of me for not considering his feelings about it since he is my father but it is my choice and most of the time I go without. The ride into Waterloo was so nice...it was cool, crisp, refreshing. There wasn't anything going on at Silver Eagle but the staff, as always, was friendly. Talked for a long time with one of the sales guys Ken and I got to go back and look at the new '08 Fat Bob that they just got in. It was pretty sweet!

My mom wanted to go out to the new casino in Waterloo so once we got back to their place we headed in on 4 wheels to the Isle. It was a really nice casino. It made me feel like I was in Vegas. I didn't win big, but I never do. I just don't get why I don't have the luck. Once we were done there we went for dinner at Texas Roadhouse in Cedar Falls. YUM! Funny thing...I wanted a Margarita and without thinking I said to my Dad...I'm going to get a Margarita, I'll give you the money for it. I looked at him and was like...OMG I can't believe I just assumed you are paying for dinner. Wow...I felt like a heel. Well he did pay for dinner...thanks Dad.

Sunday we got up and took off for Waverly around 9. Stopped by the Kielman's to check out their new house. Totally beautiful. Took off for home around noon. Stopped in Hampton for a burger at McD's. Dan got to talking to this older gentleman who was so excited to tell him he rode motorcycles too. He said he had to give it up last year when he turned 76. His wife told him that it was just time and he agreed. You could tell it made him sad. He also told us he was a prisoner of war in Korea. I thanked him and he was so modest and told me I didn't have to thank him. I wanted to hug him...he was such a cute old guy and you could tell it made his day that we were listening to him. I love the stories you hear from our elders. I could sit and listen to them for hours. They lived extraordinary lives and we need to take it in before they are gone.

We made it home to Johnston about 3:30 pm. What a great weekend and it was made even greater because we rode the Zippy Pickle and were outside feeling all the elements and clearing our heads from all the mumbo jumbo that goes in and out of it all week long!

Adios Summer...Welcome Fall and more good times ahead!